Southside Strength and Fitness is a gym in Anderson, AK. It specializes in bodybuilding, powerlifting, and Olympic lifting, serving members with keycard access 24/7. Staffed hours run Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 8 PM and weekends from 9 AM to 7 PM. The facility features a sauna for recovery and maintains equipment that members describe as regularly maintained and high quality. It holds a rating of 4.90 based on customer reviews.
The gym occupies a location with a long history in local strength training. From 1983 to 2010, Bill Frick operated the Polaris Athletic Club at this site, setting state and national powerlifting records and helping establish the sport in Alaska. In 2010, Hal and Marvel Loyd opened Southside Strength and Fitness at the same address, continuing the tradition of locally owned strength training. Hal, a competitive powerlifter and Olympic weightlifter, became a national-level referee and opened the facility to the local Special Olympics powerlifting team. The gym grew through family effort, focusing on powerlifters, Olympic weightlifters, and serious athletes. In 2020, Matthew Lindsay acquired the business just before the first pandemic shutdowns. He used that period to revamp the space and invest in high-end equipment. Lindsay, who previously worked as a wildland firefighter for seven seasons and founded an independent real estate brokerage, leads the gym with a focus on results and community.
The facility is located at 11901 Industry Way, Building A, in Anchorage, AK. It sits near Old Seward Highway, which is less than a mile away. Huffman Road is about 0.3 miles from the site, as is the US Postal Service Huffman Branch. Furrow Creek is also approximately 0.3 miles away.
Southside Strength and Fitness is known for its supportive atmosphere and consistent equipment maintenance. Members report long-term loyalty, with some training at the gym for over a decade. The business stands out in Anchorage for its dedicated focus on strength disciplines and its community-oriented culture.